Chief accused of drunk fire truck racing

AP on Yahoo ^ | 12/14/07 | AP

[NormsRevenge]

BURLINGTON, Maine - A fire chief in Penobscot County has been charged with being drunk behind the wheel while driving a fire truck with its lights on and its sirens going.

Russell Banks of Burlington was arrested around midnight Saturday after a resident complained that Banks was racing a fire tanker by his home even though there was no fire in the area.

Banks, 34, is chief of the Triangle Fire Department, a volunteer association that provides service for Burlington, Lowell and Grand Falls Township.

When a Penobscot County sheriff's deputy responded, he located the truck and noticed that Banks smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes. A blood alcohol test showed Banks was at twice the legal limit.

Deputy Chief Troy Morton said the resident told police that Banks was blasting his siren in retaliation for a neighborhood dispute.

Banks could not be reached for comment.

[doc1019]

Boys will be boys, especially with big toys. ;-)

[SIDENET]

Well, it does sound like fun!

[cripplecreek]

My cousin got caught drunk driving a steam roller once.

[Thrownatbirth]

blasting his siren in retaliation for a neighborhood dispute.

He should be applauded for his restraint.

[Turbopilot]

Officially, I do not support this behavior, or any misuse of public property.

Unofficially, that had to be pretty awesome. If I were drunk and had the keys to a fire truck...it’s better for everyone that I’m never drunk and in possession of keys to a fire truck.

[kb2614]

LOL!!

Gets cold and lonley up there in Maine. Got to do something to keep from going nuts.

[jd792]

Back in the 70s our dept.was all volunteer,we had a pepsi machine that would dispence a bottle of beer for 25 cents,,,damn good buz for 2 bucks,all nighter for 5.00 we would be cautioned about operating the trucks after drinking a few beers ..but back then when the fire whistle blew,we had to see who was pulling in the driveway,,We did what we needed to do...We also had beer keg softball games between other departments and also police departments..loser paid for the keg....Back then a dui was a ten to 30 day suspension and couple hundred bucks fine...no jail time, In the late 70s early 80s it seemed like several politicians got in trouble with dui with injuries and death that changed everything..before this , all was covered up...

[elkfersupper]

Hold muh beer and watch this!

[OCC]

Chief accused of drunk fire truck racing

I thought that was one of the perks of being a volunteer fireman?